Game



Jan. 23, 1923. 11,443,119.

H. P. RooKlJR. Y

- GAME,-

HLED JAN. 1o. 1921. 4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Jan- 23, 1923.

H. P.CR00K,1R. GAME.

FILED JAN. 0fl92l.

LMBJL Il@ 4 SHEETS S`HEET 2.

attoznew x Jan. 23, 1923. 1,443,119., K H. P. cRooK, JR`

GAME.

FILED IAN.10, 1921 4 SHhES-SHEEl 3.

Jan. 23, 1925i 1,443,119.. H.IP. 0300K, JH.

GAME. FILED JAN. 10.11921. 4 SHE|TS-SHEE` 4.

l' i j'. f 'gw wtofa \^/\T EEEES I y m @i Y.

@thor www rif-treni HARRY r. onooii, an.; or nanfriivionn, MARYLAND.

`Application filed .'Iaiiuaryl 10, i921. Serial No.i436`,104.

"/'o all fio/0111i 'it may Concern: n i

Be itltnoyvn that l, HARRY P. Cnooii, Jr., a citizen o'l' the UnitedStates of iltnierica, resting in the city ot Baltimore. State `lilaryland, have vinvented certain new and useful improvements in (l-ames7 of which the following is a specification.

`The present invention relates toa gaine -o-r toy in the nature of a miniature electric railroad, the object ot' which is to demonstrate; exercise or cultivate the slill of the players as `applied to stopping' the trains by each particular player at his individual staA tion.

`The gaine v` consists oit an electrically driven train running on a. coiitiiniousor endless track with stations or stopping places each to bepresided over by one o'l the players,` each `of Whom exercises andv attempts to demonstrate his skill by stop-Q `pingl the train at his station.

ln the -form showm each station `erstopi pint;` place is provided with separateinechaf nismwhich is `duplicated at each stationthe mechanism in connection with each station being; referred to herein as `a unit.

unit to be operated by a player who at-` teinpts to stop the train Within his particulai' block or at the station corresponding to Each sucli unit in the loim ot his unit. the invention shown includes a stop or detent which cepal'ile "of being),` moved into the path ot the train. The detent in each unit is within theeontrol of the corresponding` player and may, it the apparatus coinprisinnj his unit is properly operated by him` be moved by him into the path ot the train to be actuated by the train as hereinalter described. rl`he ldctent is.y however. normally Vwithdrcfiwn and to enable the giilayer tof cause it to be interposed in the path ot the train so thatthetrain will come in con- This detent in turn controls a switcher other means ior stopping the trainand contact ot the train `with thedetent serves to actuatethe switch` or other mechanism to op the train. The.s itoppiire` is not necessarily positive. The switch in each unitl Each i thus described lserves to break the train cii'- cuit at adefinite position of the train which stops the train opposite'the corresponding station with a fair degree of 'uniformity'. i

Preferably and as shown, each player unit also includes a signal which shows oiie color. as red when the detent isin the path of the `train andanother color as `ereennwhen it is withdrawn; it also shows red when the train stoppedv at the corresponding station. Preferably and as shown, each unit also includes means ior controlling the lights in the;corresponding station vso that `when.

the train stopped ataiiy particularsta tion a particularly brightlighting efectWill be produced at that station.

ln the accompanying drawing, l have illustrated a game embodyingmy invention `in the pre'terredtorm. In the drawing- Ligure l is a `diagranimatieillustration including the track, jthe main or train cir-` cuit, the player units and the Wiringetc., incident to several of these units, the same being .reduced and broken away for convenience inillustration.

FigureQ is' ajfragmentary illustration of a portion oit the toy which is typical of the 1i'liole asit appears.

Figure 3 is an elevation, partlyin sec tion, showing one of the detente with the switch mechanism controlled by the detent and actuated when the detent Vis moved by contactvith thetraiii. It'also shows the signal and thefmagrnet or solenoid Which actuates the signal and the detent moving the latter into the path of the-train` this mechanism being incident to each unit.

Figure l is asection on the linelf-ll of Figure y i Figure 5 Iis a sec-tional plan showingthe mechanism which is incident to each unit to be directly controlled by the player at that unit and Which When so controlled'makes and breaks the circuit including` the ymagnety j in Figure 8, energizing the magneta-t intervals, y y y V y Figure G is a sectional elevation of the same. y y

Figure 7 is a View 'of the top of the 'signal tower *y Referring; to the drawings bynuinerals:

mf l

the game, as illustrated, consists of an endless track, l, which, as illustrated, includes four rails, 2, 8, ll and 5, a suitable source of electricity, 6, which is preferably a battery or transformer, a train of cars or an electrically driven vehicle, 8, to run on the track and a plurality of player units, which may be duplicates or substantial duplicates of each other, one of said units being indicated by reference character, 7. Each of said player units preferably includes a swit-eh control, 9, which, in the form of the invention shown, is a combined mechanical and electrical device which controls switch mechanism, l0, including` a switch in the train actuating circuit, moving a portion of said switch mechanism' 10, at intervals into the path of the train so that the' train, if it passes the switc-hduring such an interval, actuatcs pin, 25.

the Aswitch, Abreaking the train circuit and stopping the train. The switch control, 9, preferably comprises in each instance a vmanually operable member, 11, shown in the form of a crank, by which the switch control is actuated. p

Each unit, as illustrated has a way-station, 12, which may be provided with a light, 13, which furnishespermanent illumination, the same being directly connected across the rails, 3, tf-11; being the lighting circuit and 3 the return wire; Each station is also pro- ,vided, in theform of the invention illustrated, and preferably, with eXtra illumination in the form of lights, 15, also connected across the lighting` circuit rails, 3, 4f, by connections,16, but said connections, 1G, also include spaced terminals or switch terminals, 17 adapted to beconnected by suitable contact members,y18, carried by the switch mechanism, 10, so that the eXtra illumination is'provided at each station only when the train circuit is broken by turningof the switch at that particular station which serves to stop the train at the station, as hereinafter described rlhe illustration also includes `a signal tower, 90, for each unit, with mechanical actuating means, 91, and colored glasses, 19, hereinafter described, for changing the color of the signal when the detent, 59, ofv switch mechanism, 10, is thrown into operative position in the path of the train. n

The switch control, 9, as illustrated in detail in Figures l5 and 6, may include a crank, l1, on ashaft, 20, carrying a small pinion, 21, which meshes with a toothed idler, 22, carrying a pinion, 23, which meshes with anotherl toothed gear, 24, which carries a The pin 'engages a balanced lever, 26, which is pivoted at 27, and provided with a counter-weight, 28, beyond the pivot. The arm. of the lever on the opposite side of the pivot from the counterweight engages anv adjustable stop, 29, which permits it to rest in the path of the pin. It

also car 1ies a depending scoop, 30, which is perforated or cut away al El as shown, so that it is adapted to receive liquid pumped into it as hereinafter described. which is almost immediately released. The liquid, by impact and weight, serves to overcome the counter-balance which normally' lifts the lever out of Contact with the pin, 25, and out of the path of the pin, serving to hold the lever in the path of the pin.

The crank shaft, 20, carries a toothed gear, 32, which meshes with a gear, on the shaft of a pump, 34. This pump has its intake, 35, connected to a receptacle, ENS, for liquid which extends around and lnfiuiath the scoop, 30, and the pump delivery pipe, il?, empties into the scoop, 80, providing the means for overcomingy the countcrdmlance. 28, when the crank is rotated at a certain pre-determined speed, bringing the lever, 2G, as aforesaid, into the path of the pin, 25. The switch control also includes electrical connections, 38, 39, forming part of a circuit, 40, which includes the electro-inagnet or solenoid, lll, the same bein;Y likewise connected to the source of electricity, G, also includine` a switch, d2. by means of which the solenoid may be disconnected. The circuit, 4 0, including the solenoid which is led into the control box by connections, 38, 39, which includes lever, 26, and pin, 25, is made and broken by means of the lever, 26, and the pin, 25. As shown, the connection, B9, .is led to the counter-weight, 28` on the lever, 26, and the connection, 38, is led to :1 brush or suitable contact member, fl'l. which wipes the surface of the gear, 2l, which carries the pin, 25, the mechanism being suitably insulated to prevent sliortwircnih ingr, which insulating features are obvious and not part of the invention.

ln Figure 3, I have illustrated the electro-magnet or solenoid. 4l. and the nnrhunism actuated thereby. inelndiing,- the switch mechanism, 10,. The eicelroanagnet or sole noid, al, is provided with a core, .50, which l have shown depressed to the position which it. normallyY o 'npies. In VFigure I l. hare shown a crossarln. secured to the core and extending both to the right and left of the solenoid, being provided at cach end with a collar, 53, 541, on the shafts. 5G. respectively. Each shaft is provided with an abutment, 5T, 58, above the collar, which serves to lift the shaft when the collar is raised. The shaft, 5G, carries at upper end detent, 59, which is raised into the path of the` train by the action of the solenoid lifting the core. and the cross-arm. 52 and slidingthe shaft, 56, upward, it being understood that the shaft, 56, passes through a hollow shaft, 60, to which it is keyed or non-rotatedly connected by a slot, 6l and a pin, 62, which permits it to slide relativelv to the hollow shaft but not to turn. The hollli low shaft, 60, carries atswitch drum, 63, having contacts, '18,` adapted to engage the terminals 17-17, in the eXtra lighting circuit and contacts, 65, adapted to engage the terminals, 6-1-64, in Ithe train circuit, which consists in the main of lthe positive .contact` rail, 2, and the negative `contact rail` 5, the

current being led from the source terminal number 12, the numbering being intended to indicate the number of volts in the preferred system through the various switch members, l0, to `the rail, 2, at if-i. Alfter passing through the train motor or locomotive motor the current is returned to the negative wire,`

5, Yfrom which it passes to the wire, 3, by a cross connection, 66, from which it is led to the negative side oi the battery or source 6, at O. The operation oi the switch is, ot course, apparent. When the arm, 59, is raised into the path ot' `the train, bythe action of the solenoid, the contact ol the train rotates the shaft, 5G, and hence the hollow Shaft, G0, which, in turn, rotates the switch drum or block, 63, throwing the contacts,ll8, into engagen'ient with theterminals, 17, and

throwing the contacts, 65, out ol en, `,age-` ment with the terminals, 64, in theltrain cir-` cuit so that the train circuit is broken. Fig

. a. pin, 76, on the plate and a stationary pin,

77,1 on the frame. `The plate, 70, alsocarries a crank pin, 'l' 9, which co-operates with the connecting rod, 80, connected to a crank pin, 8l, on a cam, 82, p-ivo-ted on the ira-Ine `at 83; This Vcam copperates with the low .r

end, 84k, of the shaft, 55, of the signal actuat- `ing niechanisn'i, 91.

n The end, 8l, acts as a cam follower and the cam, 82, acting on this `follower, serves to hold the shaft in raised position whenever and long as the switch mechanism, 10, is .in a position which causes the train circuit to be brokenat this point, that is, so long` as the train is stopped at any given station, the signal at that station is in a corresponding` position, which, pret'erably,y having reference now to the signal, 19,` in Figure 2, causes the signal to show red as viewed by theplay'er. The signal is also independently actuated by thel magnet, 11,

through the crossarm, 52. This crossarm causes the signal shalt to be raised and the sgiial to show red "or any preferred color when the switch detent, 59, is raised into the pathof the train butthe nature of the conn troller mechanism, 9, is such that the train switch, 10, with the arm, 59, may be raised intothe path of the train and lowered before the train comes in contact with the arm, 59, so that the train is not stopped, the object et' this portion of thelmechanism being to cause the signal to show red whenever the switch mechanism, 10, withthe arm, 59, is in a positionl to stop the train.`

It `will be apparent that with `a number ot players,` one in each unit `operating' cranks, l1, `the position of the corresponding` train switches, 10,\with the arms, 59, will depend upon the exact speed with which the crank is rotated` lor to raise the arm, `59, it necessary to complete the circuit, 38, 13, 25, 26, 39, see 'ligure six, and this can only be `completed whenthe flow oft the `liquid trom the pump is sufficient in its impact or weight in or` on scoop, 30, from. which it Hows with considerable speed, to countei`- balance the lever, 26, with its weight, 28 and also the closing of this circuit is dependent onthe contact of the pin, 25, with the lever, 2G, which only continues through a compara tively small `arc ot' the rotation of the gear, 24, so that even though the player rotates the crank with exactly the rightspeed, his chances ot success are limited by the extent of thisarc of contactot the pin, 25, with the lever, 26. This arc. is capable ot' adjustment,as` aforesaid, by varying the `posit-ion of the stop, 29, as indicated and described. Whenever this `contact is completed the magnet, 41:1, is energized, raising the d-etent, 59, into the pat-h ofthe train but its entrance, as aforesaid, into this path is intermittent and its stay necessarily limited, sothat it is eX- ceedingly difficult for any player `to intercept the trains, to accomplish which it is necessary, as aforesaid, for `the train to come in contact withthe arm, 59, rotating the switch, 10, to a position in which the train circuit is broken at `Gef, `G5. the signals and lights, whereby extra light is produced, at the station at which the train has stopped, and the signal at that station is caused'to be actuate'dto show red whenever the train is standing` at the corresponding sta-tion and wheneverthe switch is set to stop it'at that station,` has been hilly explained. To start the tra in when it has once been stopped in this manner, it is necessary to rotate theswitch to closed positionoi2 the train circuit, overcoming the tension'ot the spring', 7 Vtegardiing the doublemechanism tor actu'atingthe signals, it will be apparentthat the `cross-arm, 52, only holds the signal at the reid position so long as the solenoid or magnetrcircuit, 40, is closed and this intermittent and dependent on the balance oit the "lever, `2G and lthe position ot the gear, 241. This serves to throw the signal for the unit or the station to red position, whenever the switch mechanism, 10, is in a position to stop the train, provided the train reaches it before its position changes. The lower mechanism including the cam, 82, holds the signal corresponding to any station in the red position whenever the train circuit is broken by the switch mechanism, l0, so as to stop the train at that station.

I have thus described specifically and in detail a game in the form of a miniature railroad embodying my invention, in order .that the nature and the operation of the same may be clearly understood; however, the specific terms herein are used descriptively lrather than in a limiting sense, the scope ofk the invention being defined in the claims.

That I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A game comprising a miniature electric railroad, a circuit for actuating the same, a plurality 0f player units, each of several of the respective player units including a switch having an actuating member, a member adapted to be moved intothe path of the ,train at a point onthe railroad correspondingto each said player unit, the said switch being in the train actuating circuit and adapted to break the same and means ior actuating the said member including a manually controlled member, means actuated thereby for intermittently moving the said movable member into the path of the train.

2. A game comprising a miniature electric railroad having a train actuating circuit, a switch rin the said circuit having a member adapted to be moved into the path of the train, so that the train in passing actuates the switch and breaks the circuit, means for moving the said member into the path of the train including an electromotive member, connections for actuating the same, a balanced member included in the said circuit and a manually operatable melnber engaging the said balanced member at .intervals to complete the circuit.

il. A game comprising a miniature electric railroadhaving a train actuating circuit, a switch in the said circuit having a member adapted to bev movedl into the path of the train so that the train in passing actuates the switch and breaks the circuit, means for moving the said member into the path of the train including an electromotive member, connections for actuating the same, a balanced member included in the said circuit and a manually operatable member engaging the said balanced member at intervals to complete the circuit, the said balanced member having connected thereto a variable balance with means actuated by the manually operable means for controlling the effect of the said variable element.

4. A game including a. miniature electric railroad with a train circuit, a train, a plurality of player units cach including a sta tion, lights therefor and a circuit for energizing the lights, each player unit also including a train switch in the train circuit with amovable member adapted to be moved intermittently into the path of the train to operate the switch by contact with the train, means for moving the said movable member into the path of the train including clectromotive means, a circuit for energizing the same, manually controlled means .ior closing the said latter circuit intermittently and a switch in the lighting circuit operated simultaneously with the train switch to light the lights in the correspomling station when ever the train switch is operated to break the train circuit.

5. A game including a miniature electric railroad with a train circuit, a train, a plurality of player units each including a station, lights therefor and a circuit for ener gizing the lights, each player unit also including a switch in the train circuit with a movable member adapted to be moved intermittently into .the path of the train to operate the switch by contact with the train, means for moving the said movable member into the path of the t `ain including electromotive means, a circuit for energizing the same, manually controlled means for closing the said latter circuit intermittently, a nal corresponding to each said unit and means connected to the said train switch, actuating means for operating thc said signal.

G. A game including a miniature electric railroad with a train circuit, a train, a plurality of player units each including a station, lights therefor and a circuit for energizing the lights, each player unit also including a switch in the train circuit with a movable member adapted to be moved intermittently into the path of the train to operate the switch by contact with the train, means for moving the said movable member into the path of the train inchiding electro.- motive means, a circuit for energizing the same, manually controlled means, including a balanced member with a varialiile balaueing element dependent on the speed of the control mechanism, for closing the said latter circuit intermittently, a signal corresponding to each said unit and means counected to the said train switch, and actuating means for operating the said signal.

7. In an electrically actuated toy, a source of electricity, a circuit including electromotive actuating means for the toy, a balanced lever for making and breaking the circuit, manually operated pumping means, means carried by ,the lever in the path of the pumped material whereby the balance of the lll) y lever ie changed varying the time of making and breaking thev circuit.

i the toy, a balanced leverend manually operated means co-ovperatmg therewith, for mele l ing end breaking the circuit', manually oper- Iated pumping means, means carried by the 10 lever in the path` of the pumped material y whereby the balance of the lever is changed varying the time of making and breaking the circuit.

Signed by me et Baltimore, Maryland, this 31st day of December, 1920.

HARRY P. CROUK, JR.

` Witnesses PORTER H. FLAUTT, ANNA BERNSTEIN. 

